Ok, here are standard disclaimers. I do not own, nor claim to own any rights to the Teen Titans, or any other borrowed characters. I also make no claims towards any original characters I invent for this story.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Slade and Terra were led into a large room, which was teeming with mercenaries, soldiers of fortune, bounty hunters and other assorted low life and scumbags. There were over 300 individuals assembled and as far as Slade could tell Deadshot was the only man in the group, which already broken up into cliques and smaller groups, which were all engaged in lively conversation. The disguised Earthlings made their way to the infamous marksman, who stood alone as he studied the assembly, not looking impressed at all. As they plowed through the crowd they eavesdropped on the conversations. It was clear that they had no idea of why they had been hired or what the target was.

As Slade and Terra approached him he turned in their direction and smiled.

"If it isn't Deathstroke the Terminator? I have to complement you on your costume Slade, I almost didn't recognize you."

"It was my gait, wasn't it Floyd?" Slade responded in his disguised female voice.

"It was, but don't feel bad Slade, you actually are convincing as a woman. And speaking of which, who is your companion?"

Slade smiled at Deadshot before dropping the fake voice and replying in his signature monotone.

"She is an associate who will remain anonymous, Floyd."

"I see. So tell me Slade, who is the target? They refused to tell me but offered me $10,000,000 in gold coins to eliminate this mysterious person."

"Let's just say that the target involves … Titans."

Deadshot grinned from ear to ear.

"You mean those prepubescent children from Jump City?"

"They aren't children anymore, Deadshot." Terra growled. "And whatever you do, don't you dare hurt Beast Boy. If you do, you will answer to me."

Deadshot chuckled.

"I am afraid that I am bound by my code. And that code stipulates that a contract cannot be broken. Surely you can understand that … right Miss Markov?"

Terra glared at the sharpshooter as a waiter walked by with a tray of snacks. Deadshot plucked a piece of cheese on a toothpick and consumed it immediately, while an Azarathian wasp began to pester the geomancer.

"What makes you think you can take on the Titans?" Terra snarled at him while attempting to shoo away the annoying alien wasp, which was threatening her with its dual stingers.

Deadshot flicked his wrist and the toothpick flew, hitting the wasp in the abdomen, killing it instantly. Terra stared wide eyed as the dead insect, still impaled by the toothpick, fell to the ground.

"Because I never miss my target, Miss Markov, never."

Terra smirked as she replied.

"You didn't take down the Bat."

Deadshot did not betray the indignation he was feeling.

"The Dark Knight was lucky that time."

"That's what everyone who's failed to take him down says." Slade taunted him. "But don't feel bad Floyd, I couldn't put him away either."

"SILENCE!" A commanding female voice resonated across the room.

The assembly turned towards a dais at the end of the large hall. A fierce looking woman stood on it. She looked to be at least 2 meters tall, had long blond hair and was dressed in lightweight armor that clearly had been used in many battles. Within seconds the hall fell silent.

"My name is Ragithra and I am chief of security for Azarathian Council of Matriarchs, who are your employers."

She paused before continuing.

"The reason you are here is that there is an insurrection against the Council that is led by outsiders from a backwater world called 'Earth'. Your job is to eliminate these outsiders. Without them, the insurrection will fail."

Ragithra turned to a large projector screen behind her with a remote control in her hand, which she clicked. A picture of Raven appeared on the screen.

"This is their leader. Her name is Raven Roth and she is a Matriarch, which also means that she is a traitor. She has tremendous powers and I must warn you that you will only get a single chance to kill her, and that will have to be by surprise. She has set up her headquarters in Roth Tower and it will be difficult to reach her there. We will assist you by creating situations that will draw her out of the Tower. Again let me remind you that you will only get once chance to finish her, if you fail you will probably meet a certain death at her hands. The bounty on Raven is 10,000 gold coins. And we want her dead, let that be understood!"

The warrior paused before clicking on her remote control. Beast Boy's image appeared.

"While Raven is the primary target, we also have bounties on the other members of her team. This green male is her mate and his name is Garfield Roth, but he goes by the alias of 'Beast Boy'. He is a changeling and is the second target. His bounty is 5,000 gold coins. Taking him down first could possibly unnerve Raven, making her an easier target. On the other hand she might tear you to shreds while you're still alive. The choice is yours."

She advanced to the next image.

"This is Princess Koriand'r of Tamaran. Do not target her as we do not wish to incur the wrath of the Tamaranian Empire. Also beware that she has 120 Tamaranian warriors at her disposal. If she dies as a result of collateral damage we will apologize to the Tamaranians, but for the record there is no bounty on her head."

She clicked the remote control yet again. This time Robin and Cyborg appeared.

"These two males are deadly. The masked one is a supremely skilled martial artist while the other one has cybernetic and mechanical implants. Each has a 1,000 gold coin bounty."

She advanced the projector to display a list of conditions.

"There are a few rules."

"1 – Collateral damage will be tolerated but if any harm befalls a Matriarch by your fault you will not leave Azarath alive, as a 5,000 gold coin bounty will be placed on you."

"2 – Weapons of mass destruction are not be allowed. We won't save Azarath by destroying it."

"3 – You must deliver a corpse to collect the bounty. If we cannot positively identify the body you will not be paid. Also, any attempt at deception will be punished by death, so don't even think of producing a false corpse disguised to look like any of them."

"4 – You must also …"

Ragithra was interrupted by a powerful temblor which shook the hall and the large building it was in. Everyone in the assembly began to murmur in worried tones, recalling that Azarath was a floating city, a city that floated above a bottomless void. Terra's eyes grew wide.

"What is it Terra? What happened?" Slade whispered in her ear.

Terra shook her head in disbelief.

"It was Raven." She whispered back. "I could feel her dark energy permeating through the bedrock the city is built upon. She shook the entire city."

"Her powers have grown even more than I thought." Slade replied.

"This could be a problem." He added.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Beast Boy caught Raven as she fell unconscious. To the surprise of his teammates he did not appear to be concerned as he picked Raven up bridal style, with her head hanging back and her arms dangling limply at her sides. He looked up at his teammates and noticed their worried expressions.

"Raven's OK, she told me that it would take all of her power to shake Azarath and that she would faint. She just needs some rest."

Without another world he turned and headed off to their room, still carrying Raven's limp body. Starfire rushed after him, following him into the room and up to the huge bed.

"Star, would you remove her cape?"

The Princess undid the clasp that Raven used to faster her cape and draped it over a nearby chair. She then ran back to Beast Boy's side and removed her boots and her jeweled belt. The changeling then delicately deposited her on the bed, covering her up with a blanket.

"Are you certain that she is unharmed?"

He nodded.

"She's just as she said she would be. Excuse me Star." He replied as he picked up the phone.

"Is this the kitchen? This is Mr. ... Roth. I need to order a meal for Mrs. Roth … just bring what she had for dinner yesterday … and bring it in 3 hours … yes that will be fine … no, no one else needs a meal at this time … thank you."

As he hung up the phone he turned to the princess.

"She said to wake her after 3 hours, if she didn't wake up first. She also said that she would need to eat then."

Starfire looked at Raven with a worried expression.

"She's gonna be fine Star." He added as he took the Tamaranian's hand. "But she needs to rest, c'mon, let's go."

Starfire nodded and they left the room, closing the door behind them. Robin and Cyborg were waiting outside the room.

"Friend Raven is OK, but she needs to rest for 3 hours."

Robin acknowledged Starfire with a nod.

"Beast Boy, what happened?"

The changeling grinned.

"We're bluffing the Council."

"I sure hope so. Did Raven really cause that earth … uh Azarathquake?"

"Yeah, she did, it took a lot out of her though. She's resting now. Maybe you guys should go rest too. Things might get interesting in a few hours."

"Good idea Beast Boy." Robin agreed. "You and Cyborg keep watch for the first 90 minutes and after that Starfire and I will relieve you. Wake us immediately if anything even seems remotely wrong. Understood?"

"We gotcha, now go get some rest." Cyborg replied.

As soon as Robin and Starfire retreated to their rooms the changeling and the tin man went to the console in the living room. There were a few members of the Roth Tower security detail still there and one of them, a young woman named Nevanta approached them.

"You might wish to check video feed #27."

Beast Boy thanked the woman and switched the monitor to the suggested video feed. It showed the bridge between the city and the mainland, which was mobbed by an exodus of Azarathians who were fleeing the city with little more than the clothes on their backs. The bus depot was visible in the distance and was completely mobbed with people.

"We think that there are already 50,000 people at the depot. There's a bus arriving every 5 minutes, 6000 people per hour. There are rumors that Salamandron might start turning refugees away if this continues." Nevanta commented from her improvised desk in the room.

"I think she's got the watch covered." Cyborg whispered to the changeling. "Let's go to the kitchen and I'll make us something to eat."

"They don't have tofu in Azarath."

"Don't sweat it grass stain, we'll figure something out."

The pair retreated to the kitchen.

"I could just phone the Tower kitchen and they could bring us something. Their veggie soup is pretty good."

Cyborg nodded.

"Actually, I just wanted to talk with you in private."

Beast Boy looked nonplussed.

"Talk about what?"

Cyborg paused, as if weighing his words carefully. After a long pause he spoke up.

"So what's it like?"

"What's what like?"

"You know … that." Cyborg replied, gesturing with his mechanical hands. Beast Boy noticed that Cyborg was beginning to blush.

"No, I don't know. What are you talking about Cy?"

Cyborg grunted with exasperation.

"You've been married for a week grass stain!"

The changeling smiled.

"Oh, that! Being married is pretty nice. I guess it would be even nicer if we were back home and not stuck in this crazy alien civil war that …"

"That's not what I meant, man."

Beast Boy sighed his displeasure.

"Then why don't you just ask me tin man?"

Cyborg glared at him.

"Man you are so clueless … fine, I'll get to the point … what's it like to get laid?"

Beast Boy went bug eyed.

"WHAT!"

"You heard me grass stain. You're the first one. Robin and I, we're still … you know."

"What kind of question is that? Raven's my wife, not some floozy I had a one night stand with."

Cyborg was barely able to hide his disappointment. Meanwhile Beast Boy switched gears.

"Are you serious Cy, are you still a virgin? I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that …"

"In case you haven't noticed, the only girlfriend I ever had as a half robot lived 5000 years ago, and we only made it to first base."

The changeling's ears drooped.

"I'm sorry Cy, I know you miss Sarasim. Do you ever wish we had left you there?"

Cyborg shook his head.

"I wouldn't have lasted more than a few months. There was nowhere to recharge. I had no spare parts; you saw what my hand looked like when I came back. Without spare parts all it would have taken was a single major subsystem failure and I would have died. I know she didn't understand, she thought that my tech was just armor, but …"

Beast Boy looked his friend in the eyes.

"But?"

"I loved her B, I really did."

"She was special, huh?"

"Special? She was incredible! I mean she was smart and brave. She had a great heart and could she fight! She was Titan material, B."

"Was she pretty?"

"You have no idea man. I mean, she was gorgeous. I don't know what she saw in pile of tech scrap like me…"

Beast Boy smiled.

"I think I know."

Cyborg sighed.

"It doesn't matter. She died 5,000 years ago and probably married some other guy. We were never meant to be together. At least you and Raven found each other."

"Dude! Give yourself some credit! You'll find someone, you'll see."

Cyborg rubbed his chin.

"I don't know man. She was like the only girl who ever looked beyond my tech and could see the real me."

"You gotta be patient Cy. Your girl is out there somewhere, you gotta believe it."

Cyborg gave his friend a weak smile.

"I guess you're right."

Beast Boy laughed

"Of course I am." He said as he leaned close to his friend.

"Cy, between you and me … getting laid … it's awesome."

"Really? C'mon then! Spill the beans! What was it like?" Cyborg asked expectantly.

Beast Boy laughed.

"I'm not telling you dude! If I did, Raven would kill me … or worse … she'd make me be celibate."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Panic was ensuing in the Hall of Matriarchs, as the representatives from each house, except the House of Roth, began to arrive for the emergency meeting. The Matriarchs, both young and old, steadily filed into the great hall, and the sense of fear was palpable in the air. The temblor had occurred just three hours before and they had just one hour left to give Raven their response.

Meanwhile, a private meeting between the most influential Matriarchs was taking place in the office that was reserved for the Head Matriarch, who for obvious reasons was not present. Mayra had assumed the leadership role and was seated behind the large ornate wooden desk. Several other women, some young, some not so young, were assembled in the room and all had grave expressions on their faces.

"Are you certain of this Nara? Raven is Trigon's daughter? How can that even be possible?" A matronly woman asked.

Nara hit the playback button and the conversation with Raven was replayed on a screen that was embedded into a wall. Before their shocked eyes Raven performed her demonic transformation. Most of the women looked away, some murmuring while others rubbed their temples.

"Well, now we know why Arella sent her off to the monastery." Mayra sighed.

"So what do we do?" Another woman asked. The fear was clear in her voice. "Will she really destroy Azarath?"

"It's hard to say. For now all we know is that Raven is a monster, and a very dangerous monster."

"Can we defeat her?" A younger woman asked.

"Were we able to defeat Trigon?" Mayra asked before pausing. They all knew the answer and no one mentioned it.

"I'm afraid we have no choice. We will submit to her, but it will be a conditional surrender, we won't turn Azarath over to the rabble, at least not completely."

The senior Matriarchs began to murmur to each other, until another young woman spoke up.

"But that will mean we will be expected to bear the financial burden. We'll have to pay taxes Mayra; the houses haven't paid taxes in over 5,000 years."

Mayra acknowledged her with a nod.

"I know, but if she destroys Azarath there won't be any Houses left to be tax exempt."

"If she destroys Azarath." Nara harrumphed.

Mayra turned to the young Matriarch.

"She was your childhood friend Nara. Do you think she would do such a thing?"

Nara paused as she pondered the question for a whole minute. Her thoughts raced though her childhood memories of Raven, many of them troubling, especially now that her heritage was no longer a secret.

"I'm not certain, but I think she would. She was very … unstable … in her youth … she had a horrible temper and was always having trouble controlling her anger…"

"Which isn't surprising now that we know she's a demon." Mayra interrupted. "I move that we call a cease fire and begin negotiating with Raven. All in favor?"

The ayes echoed throughout the room. There were no dissenters.

"Very well, we will present this motion to the Council."

"What about the mercenaries?" Nara asked.

Mayra made dismissive wave with her hand.

"You're in charge of security Nara. Pay them off and send them home immediately. Raven won't take us seriously until they have left."

"Very well, I'll take care of that right away."

Nara rushed out of the office, walking quickly down the sumptuous hallway, which was lined in the finest woods and plushest rugs that money could buy. She walked past portraits of long dead Matriarchs, the greatest ones in Azarath's history and stopped in front of a very ancient one. It was that of a Matriarch named Jezel. She had won Azarath's independence from Salamandron thousands of years ago and founded the Council of Matriarchs, a council which had led Azarath to great power and wealth. And now they were going to throw away all those hard earned gains that had taken millennia to accumulate. Confound Raven and her egalitarian ideals!

Nara furrowed her brow. She couldn't allow that to happen. Yes, Raven, her childhood friend was a mighty demoness. But she was also half human, half Earthling; And Nara remembered learning in school that humans, the natives of Earth, were inferior. But they were also very cunning.

Nara resumed her pace and was soon in her own office. She picked up a handset and pressed a few buttons.

"Ragithra, it's Nara. I have instructions from the council. Pay the mercenaries their retention fees and send them back where they came from …"

Nara paused as she pondered her next move. Suddenly a look of steely determination covered her face.

"Except for the 3 Earthlings. Bring them to my office … discretely."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

And we have another chapter! It sure sounds like Nara is going to set up her childhood friend. But the powerful didn't get that way by being merciful.

And now, it's mail bag time!

NamiUchiha1313 - "Noooo Im at the end of the most recent chapter! It was Awesome as usual and I expect none less! PLZ MAKE MORE! :D"

Thanks! The story factory remains open!

gamehead64 - "awesome bluff I found it odd that no one knew she was half demon. and also THE BEAST is cool and all but I'm surprised that nobody thought of a chimera form for BB seeing is how he has been swapping spit with a half-demon. it can be like a hulk to savage hulk change cause think about it all them animals in his head sharing one thought"

Raven does have a track record of keeping that a secret (her heritage)

The Cretin - "Read chaps 17-18 today. They both rocked. The matriarchs and Arella in particular don't seem to understand how tough they're making this for Rae do they? Hopefully, they'll wisen up. Once again, love how Star is standing resolute at Raven's side. As for the sword, I compared prices. It'd be cheaper to get it over the net. That's three down, so many more to go."

I don't think they are too concerned about Raven's feelings right now. All they want to do is preserve the status quo for as long as possible.

Hairul The Nightrage Beast - "lol did Nara shat on her pants when Raven revealed to her that Trigon was her father? LOL Well it's true that Rae saved Azarath, she too can destroy it in an instant."

Actually, Nara might be the gutsiest Matriarch in the council.

GreenRock - "Mmmm, nothing like a nice little war in order to spice things up a little. It's going to be interesting to see where DeadShot will appear in this story and what Slade has planned. I know these aren't original villains, but the way you made Hiromi incredibly villainous in The Gift, I know that you have the capabilities to make Slade's actions just as despicable."

I hope you enjoyed Slade's chat with Deadshot.

Primu - "Ahhh can't wait for more action !"

Patience grasshopper, it's coming.

titanfan45 - "At last Raven reveals what she's hidden from everyone except the Titans. She is definitely one not to be trifled with. I'll bet that even Arella is stunned."

They fell for her bluff. But victory is hardly at hand.

AkumaKami64 - "Hmm, Beast or Trex...I think a Trex would be scarier at first, the Beast gets really scary after he goes to work. Nice bluff though, you managed to make BB sound like a genius without making him OOC in the slightest. My theory is that the Matriarchs act like they'll give up to get Raven lined up for deathshot, then Terra and Slade probably mess that up. Hmm, BB or Raven is going to die, am I right?"

You were close, it's Nara who is setting them up. Will someone die? Yes! Who? I'm not telling!

"(sighs) I really wish guys like you did dark/evil BB stories, those would be great. No offense, I love your work, but it gets lonely knowing you're one of the few doing a certain kind of stories. Oh Well! Just means I get to monopolize it for the time being."

That could be interesting. Evil BB... EVIL!

FelynxTiger - "oh this going great the limits that Raven is taking are going to by difficult , how would the enemy respond"

Now you know!

hot dog285 -"intereting strategy, however, this could turn out to nothelp them, persoaly, I think that an assassin would be a safer bet, turn deadshot and you may b able to do quite a bit if he is skilled enough, and since he is one of the fewnamed characters in the story, I dbout he isa pushover. turn him covertly, cnvince him to change sides. Once that happens, use him as a spy, have him sabotoge the enemies weapons, assassinate their commaders, slowly working the enemy into being paranoid, so long as he is not caught, he could do this in definitly "

A little spoiler: Deadshot is going to kill someone.